Self-rocking hammock



May 28, 1957 MacART UR WARDELL JR 2,793,375

' SELF-ROCKING mumocx 7 Filed July 31, 1953 s Sheets-Sheet 2 'INVENTOR. -MAC ARTHUR WARDELL, JR.

May 28, 1957 MacART U WARDELL, JR 2,793,375

SELF-ROCKING HAmuocx Filed July 51, 1e5s 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 'INVENTOR.

. MAC ARTHUR WARDELLJR SELF-ROCKING HAMMOCK MacArthur Wardell, in, Jamaica, N. Y.

Application July 31, 1953, Serial No. 371,592

3 Claims. (Cl. -105) 'This invention relates to new and useful improvements in rockable hammocks.

A prime object of the presentinvention is to provide a rockable hammock with novel means for manually rocking the hammock by the occupant while lying in the hammock and-with a minimum of effort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rockable hammock with means for supporting the hammock in an-inclined position and against rocking motion.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a rockable hammock with means for air conditioning the hammock.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hammock with a canopy to protect the occupant from the sun.

Yet another object according to a modification of the invention is to provide a hammock having an auxiliary extensible frame adjustable to accommodate occupants having long or short legs.

It is further proposed to construct a rockable hammock which is simple and rugged in construction.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a hammock embodying the invention in a horizontal position.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the actuating lever device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the air conditioning apparatus removed from the hammock.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail side elevational view showing the device for holding the canopy frame sections in adjusted position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail side elevational view showing the device for holding the canopy frame section in upright position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a hammock embodying a modified form of canopy.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 10 is a rear View thereof.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the rear end of a hammock embodying a still further modification of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a rear elevational view of the hammock of Fig. 11 with the rockable lever omitted.

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the auxiliary extensible frame.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view thereof.

Referring in detail to the drawings and particularly to Fig. l, the hammock made in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongated rocking frame of Wood States Patent or other suitable material having apair of side rails 10, 10 and a rear end rail 11. A pair of semi-circular rails 12, 12, constitutingrocker members, are secured at their extremities tothe ends ofthetop rails 10, 10. A plurality of transverse rails 13 brace the rocker members 12, 12, and a pluralityof spaced'upright rails 14 connect and brace the top side rails 10, 10 and the rocker members 12, 12. Therails forming-the frame of the hammock may be fastened togetherby cement or in any other suitable manner.

A flexible hammock member 15 is looped and suitably secured along its sides to the top side rails 10, 10 and is suspended therebetweenfor supporting an individual in a reclining position. This hammockrnemb'er may be made.

of different materials but preferably is made of woven canvas or duck. It is sufficiently wide so that when it sags in the center it is transversely arcuate in order to provide a comfortable support for the individual and prevent his rolling out.

In order to propel the hammock, an actuating lever frame device 16, shown-indetailin Fig. 4, is pivotally connected to the ends of the top .side rails 1t), 10 and is disposed between .the rockermembers 12, 12, at the front of the frame. The lever frame device is rectangular in shape and consists 'of a'pa'ir of curved side rails '17, i7, curved to conform'to theshape of theadjacent portions of the rocker members '12, '12. A transverse rail member 18 connects theraiis "17, 17:at one end, and a transverse rail 19connects the rails 17, 1 7 at their other end. A curved rail '20 connectsnhe end rails '18 and 19' at their centers. The side and centerrails are braced by transverse rails 21 extending therebetween. The lever frame rails may be fastened together by cement or the like. The transverse rail member 18 at the front ofthe frame is formed along its inner edge with an enlargement or block head 22 extending the length of the rail member. This block hea d 22 supports trunnions 23 projecting from its ends and journalled in perforated bearings 24 in the adjacent ends of the top-rails 10, 10 whereby the lever frame device is pivotally mounted.

At each end of the block head 22, there is formed a substantially L-shaped foot rest or pedal 25 projecting inwardly toward the hammock supporting member 15 for actuating the lever device. The pedals 25 project into the area occupied by the feet of the occupant of the hammock when lying down. In order to rock the hammock, the occupant merely places his feet on the pedals and exerts an outward and downward pressure or thrust thereupon, which pressure is transmitted to the free inner end of the lever device whereupon, the supporting surface 2% serving as a fulcrum, an upward pressure will be exerted upon the hammock frame forward of its center point thereby lifting said front portion upwardly and dipping the rear portion of thehammock. When the downward pressure of the feet is released, the forward portion of the hammock will rock downwardly causing the rear to rock upwardly, andrepeatedthrusts on the foot pedals 25 will cause a eciprocation of the hammock endwise, or a rocking action of the hammock.

The invention also contemplates apparatus for holding the rear portion of the hammock in a raised position to permit the occupant to assume a more erect .position than a reclining position, and also for preventing the-rocking motion of the hammock. This apparatus comprises a nut member 27 fixed over an opening 28 in one of the transverse rails 13 of the hammock frame at a point to [the rear of the center pointof said hammock frame. A lifting screw. member 29 extends through andis in threaded engagement with the nut member 27, passing out throughthe-opening 28 in therai'l 1310 the outside of the rocker members 12, 12. A finger piece 30 is fixed on the inner end of the screw member 29 for actuating the same, and a foot or base member 31 is fastened to the outer end thereof. In order to lift the rear end of the hammock and hold it against rocking movement, the screw member 29 is turned until its foot member 31 engages the supporting surface 26 and continued turning of the screw member will cause the rear portion of the hammock to ride up on the screw member and be held in raised position by the screw, and the hammock held against rocking movement by the foot member.

Apparatus is also provided for air conditioning the hammock and cooling the occupant thereof, which apparatus includes a triangular-shaped air bellows 32 of ordinary construction having a base 33 supporting a plurality of superposed diaphragm units 34, with an outlet 35. An air hose 36 connects the outlet 35 with an air distributing device 37 having a plurality of air vents 38 in one face thereof. The distributing device 37 is supported on the rear rail 11 of the hammock frame by means of a loop 39 on its vented face engaging a hook 40 on the rear rail. The distributing device is supported at an angle to its support in order that the air will be blown over the entire area of the hammock member 15 for cooling off the occupant thereof.

A canopy for protecting the occupant of the hammock from the suns rays is also provided and consists of a pair of square frame members 41 and 42 hingedly connected together by a hinge 43 at each side thereof, with the frame member 41 connected to the rear corner posts 44 extending upwardly from the rear rail 11 by hinges 45. A fabriccover 46 is stretched over and secured to each of the frame members 41 and 42. The frame member 41 is adapted to be moved (to an upright position and held in such position by a latching bail 47 secured to one side of said frame member adjacent one corner thereof and which is adapted to be swung over the adjacent corner post 44 as shown in Fig. 7. The other frame member 42 is adapted to be moved relative to the frame member 41 and held in moved position by a ratchet bar 48 pivotally mounted at one end of one side of the frame member 42 engaging a pin 49 on the adjacent side of the frame member 41, as shown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, illustrate a modified form of canopy wherein a fabric cover 50 is secured at its sides to side rails 51. The side rails 51 are pivot-ally supported at their rear ends on legs 52 which are pivotally supported on pivot pins 53 extending laterally from the corner posts 44' on the rear end rail 11 of [the hammock frame. The front ends of the side rails are similarly pivotally connected to legs 54 which are pivotally connected to pivot pins 55 extending laterally from posts 56 on the side rails 10 of the hammock frame. The supporting legs when extended hold the cover 50 in raised position over the hammock to protect the occupant of the hammock, and when folded cause the cover 50 to become nested in the flexible hammock member The canopy may be held in extended position by a pin and ratchet bar arrangement as shown in Fig. 6.

In all other respects the form of invention shown in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, is the same as the form of Fig. 1 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

Referring now to the modification shown in Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, herein an auxiliary extensible frame is provided for extending the overall length of the apparatus. The extensible frame consists of a shaft 57 having legs 58 adjacent its ends and extending at right angles thereto and adapted to be seated in a pair of opposed holes 59 in the top rails 10 of the main frame at the front thereof. A rectangular shaped metal plate 60 is supported by the shaft 57 between its legs. The plate is provided with a cutaway portion 61 and is formed with rearwardly extending flanges 62 on both sides of the cutaway portion, serving as pedals.

Pivot pins 63 extend laterally from the ends of the plate adjacent the flanges for supporting bars 64 which project laterally of the plate and form an extension of the main frame. The bars are formed with spaced openings 65 for receiving the pins 63 and for receiving the pivot pins 23" of a rockable lever 16", the construction and operation of which are similar to the rockable lever 16 of the form of Fig. 1. By reason of this construction, the plate 60 may be moved along the top rails 10" and supported in any desired pair of opposed openings 59 therein. The rockable lever is movable along the bars 64 towards and away from plate 60 for accommodating the legs of the occupant of the hammock.

In all other respects the form of invention shown in Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, is similar to the form shown in Fig. 1 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent l. A rockable hammock comprising a rocking frame having a pair of semi-circular rocker members, a flexible member for supporting a person in a reclining position disposed between said rocker members, a lever frame device pivotally secured to one end of the rocking frame for rocking the rocking frame, foot operated means for actuating said lever frame device, and manually operated apparatus for raising one end of the rocking frame and holding said rocking frame against rocking movement, said apparatus including a nut member fixed on the rocking frame at one side of the center line of the rocking frame, a lifting screw extending through and coacting with said nut member and a foot member on the lifting screw below the rocking frame adapted to engage the supporting surface for the rocking frame.

2. A rockable hammock comprising a rocking frame having a pair of semi-circular rocker members, a flexible member for supporting a person in a reclining position disposed between said rocker members, a lever frame device pivotally secured to the end of the rocking frame for rocking the rocking frame, foot actuated means for actuating said lever frame device, an air bellows secured to the rocking frame and actuated thereby, an air distributing device positioned over the flexible member and a flexible tubular connection between the air bellows and distributing device.

3. A rockable hammock comprising an elongated rocking main frame including side rails with openings through their top surfaces, a transverse rail connecting said side rails at one end thereof, a flexible member supported on the side rails for supporting a person in a reclining position, and an auxiliary extensible frame adjustably connected to one end of the main frame, said extensible frame including a shaft having depending legs seated in the openings in the top surfaces of the side rails, a plate supported on said shaft between said depending legs, said plate having a cutaway portion with forwardly extending flanges on both sides of said cutaway portion, laterally extending pins on the ends of said plate, elongated bars having opposed openings therealong for receiving said pins, and a rocking lever having laterally extending pivot pins journalled in others of said openings.

Kress May 8, 1906 De Cesare Oct. 26, 1925 (Other references on following page) 5 Fairweather Mar. 12, 1929 Swindler Apr. 15, 1930 Friedlander July 7, 1931 Sonheim Mar. 14, 1939 M acGregor July 5, 1949 Linda Nov. 21, 1950 Almoslino Sept. 8, 1953 Dandini Aug. 21, 1956 6 FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden Nov. 29, 1890 Finland July 26, 1950 Great Britain Aug. 14, 1936 France Sept. 11, 1933 

